Channel 4, a network that prides itself on being a little different to its rivals (and actually follows through with it) is set to perform the latest in a line of alternative and/or ‘controversial’ programming, after announcing their commitment towards a range of content being broadcast to commemorate the Islamic observation of Ramadan (which this year occurs between 9 July – 7 August).

The UK commercial broadcaster have already received messages of support and distain from respective polarising groups (namely Muslim extremists and those in the UK that are feel the most offended against those people), but have claimed that it has been part of the intended reaction, with their decision said to have been ‘deliberately provocative’, particularly towards those in the latter group that generalise the religion and its most extreme fundamentalists (namely terrorists) into the same category.

The broadcasting plans will feature several pieces of original programming (including ‘video diaries from young British Muslims’), but headlined by a live ‘call to prayer’ (‘adhan’) every morning during Ramadan. The broadcast will feature ‘leading muezzin’ Hassen Rasool, playing at the same time it airs in mosques around London (England).

While the intentions of the network appear to be good as they become the first ‘mainstream channel’ in the region to broadcast an adhan daily, they might not win as many favours by suggesting it is ‘of greater interest’ to their viewers than last year’s ‘blanket coverage’ of the Royal Diamond Jubilee by other channels.

That, along with the fact that the live calls to prayer will only occur on TV in the graveyard slot of around 3am each morning, has not deterred the rivalling groups from making their points, though, with a spokesman for controversial political party UKIP calling it insensitive in the wake of the recent murder of soldier Lee Rigby (strongly rumoured to have been killed by Islamic extremists in London). He said of the upcoming broadcast: “This is a priceless piece of attention seeking. I cannot believe that the majority of mainstream Muslims want to see this. It will inflame community tension.”

Abu Zakariyya, a member of the radicalist group ‘Islamic Emergency Defence’, claimed: “We want to see Sharia law in the UK and only God knows if this could be a step towards it.”

Channel 4’s head of factual programming Ralph Lee gave a slightly more measured opinion, explaining in a Radio Times article: “The calls to prayer prompt Muslims to carry out quiet moments of worship, but hopefully they’ll also make other viewers sit up and notice that this event is taking place. Observing the adhan on Channel 4 will act as a nationwide tannoy system, a deliberate ‘provocation’ to all our viewers in the very real sense of the word.

“No doubt Channel 4 will be criticised for focusing attention on a ‘minority’ religion but that’s what we’re here to do – provide space for the alternative and a voice to the under-represented. Following the horrific events in Woolwich and subsequent reprisals against British Muslims, there has surely never been a more pressing need to give a voice to the moderate mainstream majority. And let’s not forget that Islam is one of the few religions that’s flourishing, actually increasing in the UK. Like Channel 4’s target audience, its followers are young. It’s recently been reported that half of British Muslims are under 25. Nearly five per cent of the country will actively engage in Ramadan this month – can we say the same of other national events that have received blanket coverage on television such as the Queen’s coronation anniversary?

“[The lack of knowledge surrounding the personal sacrifices made during Ramadan is] not surprising when you consider its near-invisibility on mainstream TV. Contrast this with the way most Muslims are represented on television – nearly always appearing in contexts related to extremism or terrorism. Even when moderate Muslims do appear, it’s often only to provide a counterpoint to these issues.”

The more considered reactions of people inbetween the two extreme groups that Channel 4 are ‘targeting’ with the broadcast have offered differing opinions on the issue as well, though, with National Secular Society president Terry Sanderson summarising: “I wouldn’t object to it as at least it gives some balance to the BBC’s emphasis on Christianity but Channel 4 has to keep it in proportion. The percentage of Muslims in the UK is very small so few people will be interested in it. It may be a novelty and Channel 4 is good at causing a sensation. We don’t want to see any broadcaster becoming a platform for religious proselytising.”

With the Islamic faith requiring 5 calls to prayer a day, Channel 4 have claimed each of the daily adhan calls will feature, although the final 4 of the day will be broadcast exclusively online via their website, although the main channel will on the first day (9 July) feature 20-second ‘bursts’ of live chanting at four specified ‘prayer times’ on the Ramadan calendar (1:11pm, 5:26pm, 9:20pm, and 10:49pm). Channel 4 News will also offer support to Islamic viewers by providing ‘sunrise and sunset times’ in their weather updates as a guide for those that partake in fasting between those hours.

As the debate on Channel 4’s broadcasting plans (and ‘Muslim’ programming on UK TV screens in general) looks set to rage on long after Ramadan is over, the question on many neutrals’ minds will be:

No? Oh well then:

And for those patient neutrals and ‘moderate Muslims’ that are interested in Ramadan from a purely cultural or religious point of view, a video actually relating to the holiday can be seen below: